Probable cause
Collision with a deer during landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, following a night visual flight rules cross-country flight, he overflew the destination airport at 1,500 ft above ground level and set up a normal approach. Just before touchdown, he saw a deer walk onto the runway from the right and collide with the left main landing gear, which then separated from the airplane. As the airplane settled, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane veered left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert.
The airplane sustained substantial damage the left wing spar and the left main landing gear attachment points.
The airport facility directory did not contain a note to caution that deer were in the vicinity of the airport.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA420 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 30, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hudson, New York
- Nearest airport
- Columbia County (1B1)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cirrus SR22
- N-number
- N615EM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2010
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.